NORWICH – The City of Norwich provided state officials with a list of 10 infrastructure projects that could begin within six to nine months under President-elect Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan.

Obama’s plan focuses on creating jobs and improving the country’s deteriorating infrastructure. Although the details of the plan are still being hammered out, local municipalities are submitting possible projects that could begin within six to nine months if they had the funding to move forward.

Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano listed several priority projects as well as discussed the need for rail service. “The operation of the railroad is essential to retaining and attracting business development, not only to the city, but to the entire Chenango Valley,” the mayor said. “Therefore, anything that can be done to reopen the line would be considered a vital infrastructure contribution to the future of the area.”

The 10 additional projects listed included some projects that the city is currently working on, and others that are planned to take place over the next several years. “These projects are planned out over many years, but if we had the money available, we could move forward with them sooner,” Maiurano said.

One of those projects, the replacement of the Rotating Biological Contactors (RBCs) at the wastewater treatment plant, is currently in the works. The project will cost approximately $4.5 million and could be ready to go to construction in April.